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| Tales from Vairë's Loom by Fiondil | 7 Review(s) |
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| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 4/4/2010 |
| The Valar realised very early on that they had to prepare for the worst, it seems. And while it was true that Elros and his people were honourable, we know that later generations strayed from the path. One can only wonder what would have happened if Manwë had listened to Námo's feelings of unease and raised the isle further away from Valinor. Author Reply: We'll never know, of course, and perhaps in the end it would have made no difference. Sauron could still have corrupted the Númenóreans and they could have still fallen though their fall might have taken a different path. | |
| njomo | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/22/2009 |
| Hi Fiondil, I quite enjoyed the interplay between Námo and Manwë. There is great respect shown between them, and great trust. And it must have been exceedingly frustrating for Námo to know such foreboding but to not be able to pinpoint anything exact. I really like how you have developed the character of Eönwë. Even though later generations prove him wrong, his trust and admiration for Elros and his family is admirable. I was reminded after reading this story about having a conversation with an aquaintance many years ago who said that our expectations have quite a lot of effect on the outcome of situations and especially on people's actions. In other words, if we believe in a person's goodwill, we can have some reasonable expectation of that person acting the same, and just the opposite if we expect some kind of malice from them. I know in my own experience this doesn't always happen, but I do think that "positive" energy is never misspent, and I'm glad to see Eönwë acting accordingly. Of course, I've also known those who would advise one to expect the worst; one might end up being pleasantly surprised! And I'd really rather have the Valar a wee bit vulnerable. After all, they also misread the situation before the rebellion. Perfect knowledge of the reactions of Elves and Edain would make a world much too predictable. I can just hear Námo and Irmo especially saying, "And where's the fun in that?" Thanks for this Fiondil. I quite enjoyed the opportunity to be an eyewitness at this debate. Joanne Author Reply: Thanks, Joanne. I am very glad you enjoyed this story in all its particulars. The Valar never making mistakes would be too boring and they would be uninteresting as characters. I am glad that Tolkien did not make them all knowing. It leaves room to play with the characters of the Valar and Maiar more. | |
| Sitara | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/20/2009 |
| While I ever agreed with the Valar’s decision to bring the Eldar to live with them in Aman, I think the Faithful and Elros’ descendants should have been left to live in Middle-earth, close to the rest of Men (who became a sort of savages if I’m not mistaken) and the Elves who chose to remain. Giving them those lands, somewhere in-between Middle-earth and Valinor, being not quite Mortals but neither Immortals, was only a way to tempt fate and, why not? to dangle in front of their noses the forbidden fruit. To get only a glimpse of something that you’ll never have or, more to the point, you won’t have as long as Arda stands. A real pity that this point wasn’t emphasized a bit more, in my opinion, leaving instead the Numenoreans to ask themselves and the Valar more and more loudly something like :”Why was it possible in the case of Earendil and Tuor and in our case is not?” “Honorable and trustworthy” …Honestly, for being Manwe’s herald, Eonwe seems to be a tad naïve. For how long did he think they will remain “honorable and trustworthy”? As it seems, another Valarin endeavour meant to fail sooner or later. Of course, to see Namo pulling faces is always worth, in my opinion. “grin” Author Reply: Naive, perhaps, but Eonwe could only speak of what he knew and he knew Elros and the other Edain as being honorable and trustworthy. That their descendants proved otherwise is not his fault, or even the Valar´s, but certainly the decision to have Numenor be so close to Valinor was not a smart move on Manwe´s part. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/18/2009 |
| Ah, if only all of those of Elros's descent had been as honorable as he! And when the ban was broken, look what followed! Author Reply: If only, indeed, Larner. But such is the way of things, isn´t it? Nobility gets corrupted and the end result is disaster for all. | |
| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/17/2009 |
| We all know how that ends. I really can't blame the Númenóreans though. Were I in their shoes, I'd want to go the Undying Lands with the Elves too. I love the Elves. Author Reply: We would all love to go to the Undying Lands with the Elves, but alas it is not our fate to do so. *sigh* | |
| 6336 | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/17/2009 |
| Well for the first several generations the Ban worked, Elros and his immidiate ancestors were honorable men. It was after they started returning to M.E. that the trouble started, as the people they met tainted them with Morgoths malice. Had they remained on Numenor and not returned to M.E. I doubt if they would have yearned for eternal life. As it was they were like children reaching for a prize on a high shelf and and falling in their attempt to reach it. Lynda Author Reply: I think you are correct that it was being in contact with people tainted by Sauron and Morgoth´s malice that corrupted them and led to their downfall. But as they say, if they had stayed on Numenor there would be no story, certainly nothing like the Kingdoms in Exile that eventually produced Aragorn. | |
| Vilwarin | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/17/2009 |
| Uh oh, don't they know that the forbidden fruit tastes twice as good? Author Reply: Apparently not. *grin* But they certainly will find out to everyone´s sorrow. | |